Bonnie Elaine Hagen was born September 19, 1934 in the house on the Hagen Homestead in Hamilton township. She attended Waverly #4 Country school through the eighth grade. When she was 8 years old her dad passed away, leaving behind his widow and 11 children. She graduated from Britton High School in 1952. Because travel was difficult to the hills in the winter time, Bonnie and some of her sisters wintered with the Herman & Susan Roehr family in Britton so they could attend school. In high school she worked weekends at the Britton Journal for Chuck Card. Following graduation Bonnie attended Northern State Teacher College in Aberdeen, SD, for a 10 week summer school and then taught school at the Newport township school for one year. The following spring she attended another 10 week course and then taught at the Spain school for one year.

On November 1, 1954 she married Robert Atkinson, also of the Britton area. They moved to the farm southeast of Britton and farmed with Rob’s folks and his brother, Gerald, and wife, Louise, for a time. In December 1966 Rob’s work took the family to Sioux City, IA. Bonnie’s house was always a welcoming place for all of the neighborhood kids. At one point in Sioux City she looked out and counted and there were around 40 kids in the yard! Rob was sleeping on the couch and Bonnie went and told him Rob do you realize there are almost 40 kids out in the yard? And his comment was, well they are sure quiet and he went back to sleep! They remained in Sioux City for 13 years where Bonnie spent her time being an awesome mom to her five children and housewife. She also did a little babysitting out of the home.

In the fall of 1979 they returned to Britton with their youngest child. Bonnie worked at the Red Owl store in Britton for a few months, and also at Hunter’s Steakhouse and Lounge for a short period. Robert passed away March 12, 1986. Following his passing, Bonnie did some in-home health care for a number of elderly clients. On March 9, 1996, Bonnie married Clayton Gerken and they made their home in Britton.

Bonnie is a lifetime member of First Lutheran Church in Britton, where she has been active teaching Sunday school in her late teens, circle, WELCA, served on the Church Council for three years, and she sang in the choir for years, one of her very favorite activities. Music has played a huge part in Bonnie’s life. In her younger years Bonnie was often seen strolling through the house with a guitar in hand singing along or sitting down and playing the piano. For a few summers she acted in the plays at Fort Sisseton. She also sang for a number of events with the Hagen Sisters. She served on the council for Senior Nutrition and helped get the program going. Bonnie also delivered meals on wheels for years. She had a generous heart, caring smile and will be deeply missed by many.

Bonnie passed away Monday, September 16, 2024 at Wheatcrest Hills Healthcare Center at the age of 89, just three days shy of her 90th birthday.

She is survived by her husband, Clayton Gerken of Britton; her children: Rick (Becky) Atkinson of Sioux City, IA, Peggy (Doug) Jones of Yankton, SD, Royce (Lisa) Atkinson of Sioux City, IA, Brad Atkinson of Britton, and Patty (Kieth) Niesen of Amherst, SD; step-children: Daryl Gerken of Geddes, SD, Debbie (Miles) Thompson of Forman, ND and Randy (Candance) Gerken of Britton; her grandchildren: Emily Atkinson, Jenny (Adam) Motacek, Katie (Austin Motacek) Ryan, Robby (Nicole) Ryan, David (Megan) Atkinson, Daniel (Stephanie) Atkinson, Jessie Atkinson, Kyle (Tess Holzer) Niesen and John (Krystal) Niesen; 13 great-grandchildren; her sisters: Arlene Cook, Marge Hoglund and Helen Holdridge; and sisterin-law, Juell Hagen. Preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert Atkinson; three brothers: Walter Hagen, Henry “Hank” Hagen and Jack Hagen; and four sisters: Jennie Roehr, Nancy Nelson, Dorothy Christenson and Shirley Jermstad.

Condolences may be directed to the family in care of Patty Niesen – 41255 SD Hwy 10 – Amherst, SD 57430.

An online guestbook and obituary are available at www. olsonfuneralchapel.com